Maths

Developing skilful, systematic problem solvers for life

Our Maths curriculum intends to:

Cultivate a deep understanding and an enjoyment of the subject through a rich, problem solving-based curriculum which nurtures pupils' love of Mathematics.

Ensure all pupils are able to use and understand Mathematics so that they can succeed both professionally and personally.

Provide opportunities for applying abstract concepts to real world situations in order to grow all pupils' resilience and confidence, creating inquisitive and effective thinkers.

Why learn Maths?

Maths is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over the centuries, proving the solution to some of history's most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. We provide pupils with a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of maths, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Course content:

Over the course of their learning journey pupils will develop their problem-solving skills, fluency and mathematical reasoning. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to explore the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics. Specific topics covered are varied but will include various lines of enquiry. As we move into Year 9 there is more of an emphasis on developing skills to a greater depth in Mathematics, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. For example, pupils will be taught how their mathematical skills can be used in other subjects, such as Science and Geography, as well as within their personal lives (such as managing personal finances) and future career pathways.

Pupils will:

Develop a deep understanding of place value, with an ability to calculate increasingly complex problems and cross curricular awareness of number in society.
Develop a deep understanding of how to use algebra effectively to help in the solving of problems.
Use a range of problem-solving skills to approach ratio and proportion problems.
Use geometrical properties to solve problems leading to proof using theorems and prior geometrical information.
Represent and interpret data in a variety of ways including the use of probability.

Through our maths curriculum, we aim to develop pupils’ early mastery of maths skills together with a deep understanding and real enjoyment of mathematics. Pupils are provided with regular opportunities to apply their maths skills in a range of contexts. Pupils are taught using a concrete, pictorial, abstract approach in order to develop a deep understanding. Pupils are given opportunities to reason and apply their skills.

Mathematics has an emphasis on developing a greater depth of understanding, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to find the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics.

Course Content in Year 7:

Autumn Term

Number - factors, multiples, primes, directed number, types of number, estimation, BIDMAS.
Algebra - notation, simplifying expressions, substitution.
Fractions - simplify, compare, improper, calculations with fractions.
Decimals - round to decimal place, order decimals, calculate with, convert between fractions decimals and percentage.

Spring Term

Percentages - percentage of an amount, converting from percentage, find percentage increase and decrease of an amount.
Statistics - types of data, questionnaires, bar charts, pie charts, averages and range, grouped data interpretation, choosing appropriate methods.
Angles - angles at a point, on a straight line, vertically opposite, line and rotational symmetry, angles in a triangle and quadrilaterals, angles in parallel lines.
Equations - write and solve one step and two step equations with unknowns on both sides.
Multiplicative reasoning - the metric system, convert between units, imperial units, ratio, ratio as a fraction or decimal and sharing in a given ratio.

Summer Term

Multiplicative reasoning - solve problems using unitary method, changing recipes, write ratios 1:n and n:1, find the best buy, understand the relationship between ratio and proportion.
Perimeter, area and volume - calculate area of triangles, parallelograms and trapezia, area and perimeter of compound shapes, properties of 3D shapes, nets, surface area, volume of cubes and cuboids.
Sequences - generate terms, find the nth term, find general term of pictorial sequences, generate terms of non-arithmetic sequences.
Graphs - plot co-ordinates in four quadrants, find midpoints of a line, generate co-ordinates from an equation and draw linear graphs, draw and label lines parallel to axes.

Year 8

Autumn Term

Number - place value, decimals fractions, prime factor decomposition, four operations.
Algebra - Expand and simplify expressions, forming and solving equations, factorising, sequences and finding the nth term.
Ratio and Proportion - Dividing in a given ratio, problem solving with ratios.
Geometry and measure - Shape properties, angles in polygons, problem solving with shape properties.
More number - percentages as operators, comparing quantities using percentages, find original value after percentage changes.

Spring Term

More number - Round to a significant figure, estimation using significant figures, percentage increase and decrease and reverse percentages.
Algebra - substitution into formulae, change the subject of a formula, solving equation including rearrangement and unknown on both sides of equal sign, linear graphs y=mx+c.
Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving.
Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving.
Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving.

Summer Term

Number - standard form and standard form calculations without a calculator
Algebra and graphs - understand x= and y=. Sequences on graphs, linear graphs, quadratic graphs and non-linear graphs.
Spaced practice - ratios, fractions, linear equations, percentage change, reverse percentages, interest.
Geometry and Measure - Perpendicular and angle bisectors, construct triangles, understand congruency, enlargement of shapes.
Statistics & Probability - Experimental probability, relative frequency, two-way tables, hypothesis testing, the data cycle, bivariate data.

In Year 9 pupils explore other aspects of maths as they continue on their 12 year journey. There is greater emphasis on developing depth and mastery in Mathematics, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. Specific topics covered will be wide and varied but will include varies lines of enquiry. Pupils will learn about:

Sequences and Graphs – including links to real life problems and solving equations.
Proportional Reasoning – including percentage and fractional changes.
Geometrical Reasoning – including inquiry into right-angled triangles, loci and transformations.
Use of statistical skills – carrying out an investigation from Hypothesis to Conclusion.
Probability – including how complex situations can be analysed and simplified.

Over the 2 years pupils will develop their problem-solving skills, fluency, and mathematical reasoning. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to explore the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics. Specific topics covered are varied but will include various lines of enquiry.

Pupils are taught how to extract the relevant information from more complex worded questions to enhance their problem-solving skills and given a relevance to their learning journey to everyday life.

Pupils will:

Develop a deep understanding of place value, with an ability to calculate increasingly complex problems and cross curricular awareness of number in society.
Develop a deep understanding of how to use algebra effectively to help in the solving of problems.
Use a range of problem-solving skills to approach ratio and proportion problems.
Use geometrical properties to solve problems leading to proof using theorems and prior geometrical information.
Represent and interpret data in a variety of ways including the use of probability.

Assessment:

Continual formative Assessment for Learning is carried out by the classroom teacher. There are also formal summative assessments at key points throughout the year. Class teachers may also give class tests on three or more topics to ensure recall and application of the concepts delivered.

There are three examination papers, P1 Non-calculator, P2 Calculator, P3 Calculator. All papers are 1 hour and 30 minutes. The examination board is Edexcel.

Home Learning:

Weekly Home Learning will be set in a range of formats: Self-assessment, on-line via mathswatch.co.uk and other websites, through homework books, practice exercises, extending work done in lessons and research around topics within the units of enquiry. Often pre-learning will be a requirement before topics are undertaken.

Exam Board: Edexcel/Pearson: -1MA GCSE